WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1526/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Wolves in northern Italy
Date: 1997-05-05
Institutions: European Parliament, MAIJ-WEGGEN
Subjects: Community budget, EU financial instrument, Emilia-Romagna, co-financing, environmental protection, protected species, protection of animal life, wild mammal













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91997E1526

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1526/97 by Johanna MAIJ-WEGGEN to the Commission. Wolves in northern Italy  


Official Journal C 391 , 23/12/1997 P. 0097 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1526/97 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (5 May 1997)Subject: Wolves in northern ItalyCan the Commission confirm that, at the European Union's expense, wolves in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna are given live sheep and/or lambs to hunt with the aim of stimulating their hunting instinct (Eindhovens Dagblad, 29 March 1997)?Can the Commission confirm that 320 000 Dutch guilders has been set aside for this supply of food?Can the Commission say what European objective benefits from this subsidy and from which of the Union's budget headings it is derived?Can the Commission say whether these are natural packs of wolves or wolves that have been especially released, and can it say whether it has anything to do with their release?Does the Commission not find this an extremely cruel practice that has nothing to do with nature, and does it not consider it better for these wolves to be allowed to find food for themselves or for the packs to be moved to a place where they can hunt in a natural way?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (24 June 1997)The LIFE-Nature project 'Azioni di conservazione del lupo in sei siti S.I.C. del Parco Regionale dell'Alto Appennino Reggiano' has been financed in 1996. It aims at the protection of the wolf, a priority species listed in Annex I of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora ((OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. )).The project has been presented by the local park authority, under the supervision of the regional government of Emilia-Romagna, Department for the environment. The Department helps to finance the project.The project has been put in place by the local authorities to test a new compensatory scheme, that should enable a quicker intervention and a higher level of participation of the local breeders in the park area. The action foresees the purchase of live sheep and lambs to be used as direct compensation for any loss of animals suffered by local breeders because of damage caused by wolves in the park area. The sheep and lambs purchased will be in custody of local breeders and will be used when compensation is needed. The substitute animals will certainly not be released into the wild as bait but, will be integrated in the breeder's herd.Concerning the financial aspect, some 10 000 Ecu have been committed to the action described above. Only 45 % of this amount is covered by Community funding.The project is financed in the framework of the Life Regulation (Council Regulation 1973/92 as modified by Council Regulation 1404/96 ((OJ L 181, 20.7.1996 and OJ L 206, 22.7.1992. ))). The amount is committed under budgetary item B4-3200.The most recent data indicates that 10-35 wolves live in the park in five packs of 2-7 wolves each and the population trend appears to be stable. No individual has been especially released.Considering the experimental character of the action, the Commission will carefully monitor its results.